MPT South resumes work on CAVITEX, CALAX

29 May 2020, 08:29 by Jun I. Legaspi

METRO Pacific Tollways South Management Corporation (MPT South) has resumed its office-based work and construction-related activities, for its big-ticket projects namely, Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).

This follows the “Construction Safety Guidelines for the Implementation of all DPWH Infrastructure Projects during the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis” as approved by the Interagency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“With the relaxing of the Community Quarantine, we need to get the projects back on track, most especially the BBB projects which aims to spur and sustain economic growth by constructing infrastructure projects badly needed by the country.

The guidelines set is to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved in the projects.

Strict compliance is expected,” said DPWH Secretary Mark Villar.

The construction of major infrastructure projects was suspended when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country causing the adjustments for construction protocols.

“The guidelines of DPWH are specific to help stem the disease. The contractors must follow new protocols at the jobsite which changes the preparation and mobilization time of the projects, these adjustments have an effect on the timeline. We also give great consideration on the renewed focus by the government on BBB projects; we want to accelerate completion of projects – subject to DPWH and the Department of Health guidelines,” said MPT South President and General Manager Roberto V. Bontia.

MPT South has resumed the road widening construction for CAVITEX R-1 second phase of bridge works in Parañaque, Las Piñas and Wawa and now at 55% completion. Construction Personnel and allied services had remobilized for the resumption of works in CALAX Subsections 4 and 5, and Cavite Segment. ROW acquisitions for Cavite Segment and Subsection 4 are still ongoing. Subsection 5, the continuation from Santa Rosa to Silang is at 96% ROW acquisition with siteworks at 57%, significantly.